Tag Archives: Travis Smith

If you love Retro and Christmas, you’ll probably love this book! Over 400 photos devoted to Christmas decorations and decorated interiors from the 1950’s to the 70’s! Written by Modern Bear Travis Smith. Available online at Amazon and other book sellers.

4 years ago today, we launched our facebook page devoted to our love of Modern Design, Bears, & Beefcake. We remember how excited we were when we hit 100 followers (we are now going on 72,000)! A BIG Thanks to all of YOU for your support ~ stay tuned for more exciting endeavors from Modern Bear!
Big Furry Hugs,
Travis & Chris

In November of 2012 Bear World Magazine featured Modern Bear on their holiday issue and we were thrilled to have our first cover! It was accompanied by an article written by Scott McGillivray and featured photos by John Paschal of Snapshot Studios.

Modern Bears just wanna have fun, and that includes spoofing famous moments from our pop culture. Movies, celebrities, records, and more offer inspiration for what we lovingly call our “Bearodies.”

Farrah’s Iconic Poster, 1976

“Bearrah Pawcett” (2011) Modeled by Travis Smith. No photoshop here – the Farrah wig, red wrestling singlet, and even the serape were all purchased on ebay for the photo shoot by Rand Thomas.

The camp film classic, “Valley of the Dolls” from 1967 based on the best-selling book by Jacqueline Susann. Originally released as a serious drama, now known for its over-the-top acting performances by the lead actresses, and the kitschy script with such lines as “Sparkle, Neely, sparkle!”

“Valley of the Bears” (2012) is our homage to the aforementioned film, featuring Chris Bale as “Man Wells,” Brent Cage as “Brentifer North,” and Travis Smith as “Neely O’Beara.” Perfectly captured by photographer Rand Thomas in a suite at the swanky Chamberlain Hotel in West Hollywood.

A film classic, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” elegantly captured New York City in the early 60’s, and featured the quintessential Audrey Hepburn performance, fashions by Givenchy, and an iconic movie soundtrack by Henry Mancini.

“Bearfast at Tiffany’s” (2013) features Travis Smith as “Pawdrey Hepbear” and photographed by Chris Bale in the same spot in front of Tiffany’s. The Bear’s version of Hepburn’s classic Givenchy ensemble included a rhinestone tiara purchased from a dollar store nearby, black work gloves, and a black wife beater. What you don’t see in this photo are the dozen Japanese tourists standing behind Travis photographing the photo shoot as it took place. “Only in New York!” they were saying.

In our continuing series of pop culture “bearodies” we bring you our homage to Farrah’s best-selling 70’s pin-up poster of all time – “Bearrah Pawcett!” No photoshop here, the Farrah wig, serape, and red wrestling singlet were all purchased on ebay. Modern Bear Travis Smith posed for photographer Leland Gebhardt and did his best to recreate the iconic pose but as he put it, “my belly and other parts kept getting in the way.”